Assessment of Services for Retired and Senior Citizens in Labette County (A Pilot Study).

Usera, John J.; Martin, Jack W.

In November 1988, a study was conducted to identify factors contributing to the quality of life of retired persons in southeast Kansas. A random sample of 366 Labette County residents over 59 years of age was surveyed by mail regarding their social life, housing, income, health, and the social and economic environment in Kansas. Study findings, based on a 36.6%, response rate included the following: (1) the average age of the respondents was 71 years; (2) 76.5% were female, and 90.9% were retired; (3) when asked about their social life, 86.6% of the respondents indicated that they spent time with friends and 85.8% participated in church activities; (4) 18.5% worked part time, 3.1% worked full time, and 20.8% were interested in finding part- or full-time employment; (5) 97.5% believed that Labette Community College was doing an adequate job of meeting the needs of retired citizens; (6) respondents expressed the most interest in retirement seminars, exercises classes, and art appreciation classes; (7) about half of the respondents who lived in their own residence were concerned about maintaining it, citing finances, home repairs, and/or yard work as problems; (8) the average monthly income was $1,016; (9) overall, 96% of the respondents felt that Kansas was a good place for retirement; (10) though 56% said they had no health or physical handicaps, 75.4% regularly used prescription drugs; and (11) among the concerns identified in the survey were needs for Senior Citizens' Centers in each town, adequate transportation, low-cost housing, convenient shopping, and more activities for the elderly. The survey instrument is included. (AJL)